Wild Post-Game Notes vs. St. Louis Nov. 19

C Mikko Koivu forced overtime with his second goal of the game, a power play tally with 1:38 left in regulation, and added a shootout goal, and C Matt Cullen remained perfect on the year (4-for-4) with the deciding shootout goal, as the Minnesota Wild topped the St. Louis Blues 3-2 at Xcel Energy Center. G Josh Harding made 25 saves for Minnesota, which has won four in a row overall and five straight at home. The Wild plays host to Nashville on Wednesday. If the Blackhawks lose in regulation in Edmonton tonight, Minnesota will hold the top spot in the entire National Hockey League for the first time since Oct. 14, 2006.

C Mikko Koivu scored two goals – a power play goal as well as his ninth career shorthanded goal – four off Wes Walz’ team record. Koivu has 14 career shorthanded points (9-5=14). Koivu scored his second and third goals of the season – his first home goals in 15 games dating back to March 20 against Montreal. Koivu’s goal snapped an 0-for-12 power play skid for the Wild at home. He scored a PPG and a SHG in the same game for the first time in his career. Koivu also scored in the shootout, improving to 24-55 all-time.

C Matt Cullen improved to 4-for-4 in shootouts this season and 16-for-35 in his career. Tonight marked his sixth career shootout game-winner.

G Josh Harding made 25 saves, plus two in the shootout, improving to 5-1-1 this season. Harding is 6-4 in his career in shootouts.

Minnesota has won five in a row at home in the same season for the first time since March 15 –April 3, 2008, when it went on to a six-game streak.

The Wild is 16-for-16 on the penalty kill in the last five home games and has killed off its last 19 shorthanded chances at Xcel Energy Center.

The Wild has given up 17 goals in 10 home games for a 1.70 GAA, and 39 goals in 20 games overall for a 1.95 GAA. Minnesota yielded just its 11th third-period goal – an NHL-best.

Thirteen of the Wild’s 20 games have been decided by one goal. The Wild is 8-2-3 this season in one-goal games. In 2010-11, the team saw 30 games decided by one goal and went 16-6-8 in them.

St. Louis scored first in a game at Xcel Energy Center for the first time in its last 11 trips.

Minnesota is 6-0-1 against the Central Division, and 12-3-2 against the Western Conference.